Arnold Johnson’s untimely death gave Chicago Insurance executive, Charlie O. Finley, another chance to buy the Athletics. His earlier bid, in 1954, was deemed to low and the team was awarded to Johnson. In December 1960, Finley purchased a controlling interest in the Athletics from Johnson’s estate, then proceeded to buy out the minority owners a year later.
It’s almost impossible to write about the Athletics stay in Kansas City without making the story about Charlie Finley. Finley was a larger than life figure, who at times was maddening and brilliant. The best I can describe him would be as a hybrid of Bill Veeck and George Steinbrenner.